AGY-4442 | Building Branch [Department of Education]

Full description

Prior to the establishment of the Department of Public Instruction in May 1880, the Board of National Education (1848-66) and the Council of Education (1867-80) were responsible for the site aquisition, erection, and maintenance of public schools. The Building Branch is first listed as a Branch of the Department of Public Instruction in 1928, but with an appointment to the Branch listed as occurring in 1891.(1)

The responsibilities of the Building Branch included the construction of new buildings, major extensions, replacement of obsolete buildings, modernising of existing school structures, erection of teachers residences and garages, and sewerage construction.(2)

In 1951 a Properties Division was established, and was composed of the building branch, sites branch, stores branch, painting and repair staff, furniture workshops, and school gardening staff.(3)

End notes
1.Public Service List 1928, p.88
2.Parliamentary Papers 1938-39-40, Vol 1, Report of the Minister of Public Instruction for 1938, p.1202
3.Public Service List 1951, p.119-20